Magnetic modular assembly for behavioral studies

ABSTRACT

A modular assembly set system for use in modular constructions suitable for behavioral research made of a polycarbonate, acrylic or other material walls with magnetic edges, joints and parts with a support base (floor) made of magnetically active metal sheet glued over a plastic inert polymer surface (or one of similar inert properties). The system comprises a multi piece set that allows to build different mazes or structures for use in behavioral, memory and health sciences studies. The magnetic edges of the walls along with joints and other pieces attaches to the metal base (floor) and permits to modularly build any configuration. The use of this device can be extended to virtually any kind of modular construction (toys, provisional constructions, stands and other low weight assembly). The walls and floor set can be used many times, and assemble and disassemble as required.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The process of this initial application started with a provisional application filled on Nov. 5, 2013, with provisional application No. 61/899,882. The aforementioned provisional application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The benefit of prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application is therefore claimed.

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Every year psychology, medicine and other students, professionals and researchers build custom mazes and structures, operational chambers, or other arrays to study behavior, memory and other areas with the help of animal subjects. This leads to expensive custom build products usually made of non adequate materials and with fixed assembly not suitable for later research and studies. Those materials includes wood and wood like products that tends to have porous surface that leads to hazardous growth of bacteria and other impurities, and also the use of bolted parts that forms joints with the same stated problem. On the other hand current solutions for mazes and research assemblies relies in the use of semi-modular or fixed sets which doesn't allow fully customized assemblies or are usable for a single study leading to an increased cost to researchers, students or institutions. This also leads to scientific replication problems because of when a research is replicated custom structures are hard to make (when not impossible to replicate and a reasonable expense)

This invention permits a true customizable set for mazes, operant chambers and similar arrays or assemblies along with a highly cleanable set that solves all the above stated problems. The use of true modular components and a magnetically based assembly leads to a clean and true customizable system. The system also includes a safe magnetic switch-connector that is only electrically active when plugged, bringing safety to animals and other research subjects by avoiding external connectors, cables and exposed metal terminals. This system can also hold custom arrangements, instruments or components to meet the most rigorous and demanding research setups. This system also uses small and compact components such as wall diaphragm doors that solve the problem of fitting in small spaces that is a critical matter in the current research facilities and behavioral research systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is conceived to be used in a wide variety of applications, but mostly on behavioral, neuroscience and medical research arenas and related fields. The system is comprised of modular walls with magnetic edges, enclosed in profile extender fixtures, and a floor made of a material that exhibits magnetic properties as ferrous stainless steel (claim number 1).

The walls can be assembled to any pattern by attaching to other walls with the use of magnetic joints (claim number 1 e) and then attaching to the floor or by attaching to the floor directly. The extensible magnetic edges, pillars and joints (claim number 1 c) are used to fill any gap to adapt to complex patterns when they are assembled and/or when wall or components available measures are not exact to match a required assembly pattern and when two or more walls needs to be attached together in complex angles.

The electrical system (claim number 1 d) is comprised by magnetic attachable/detachable electrical components where electrical ground is placed on stainless floor base and positive current (VCC) is placed on top rails, and wall edges using a metallic top pathway, enclosed in a plastic extruded rail, and magnetic connectors. Those magnetic connectors (claim number 2) in both top enclosed rail and wall edges are electrically inactive when no connector is attached and electrically active when such magnetic connector is placed nearby and attached. All the walls and components are assembled over a magnetically active material base system with magnetic edges (claim number 1 f) System components can then be powered by grounding on floor and positive wiring on wall metallic pathway tops enclosed in the rails that has the mentioned connectors.

The system also uses small and compact components such as diaphragm wall doors (claim number 3) and can use wire or wireless data control signals for activating different accessories to avoid extra spacing and exposed cables.

Rounded rods pillars (cylinder or bar type) with external enclosure are used to serve as joints to achieve different wall assembly angles when needed. Rods pillars are also used to carry positive wire electricity (VCC).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing shows different views of the invention. The drawing are intended to help the understanding of the properties, qualities and purposes of the invention.

FIG. 1. Shows a bi-dimensional plans of the invention (claim 1, 1 a and 1 b) with front, rear, upper, lateral, and cross sections auxiliary views of a simplified model of the invention without the electrical fixtures. As shown, the walls attach to the floor to form complex set ups and arrays.

-   -   F. Frontal view     -   T. Upper view     -   L. Side View

FIG. 2. Shows a tri-dimensional reconstruction of the magnetic wall system (claim 1, 1 a and 1 b). As with FIG. 1, the walls are simplified to show the walls and the walls base support. Different aspects, measures or designs could be obtained by assembling walls together with floor system.

-   -   1. Neodymium Magnet. Rounded type. Square type or magnetic strip         can be used     -   2. Beveled base support     -   3. Wall

FIG. 2A. Shows a bi-dimensional reconstruction of the magnetic wall system (claim 1, 1 a and 1 b). In this figure the wall is shown with extruded rails on top and wall edges and with support pillars attached. As mentioned before different designs can be produced by putting pieces together to form different patterns.

-   -   1. Neodymium Magnet. Rounded type. Square type or magnetic strip         can be used     -   2. Beveled base support     -   3. Wall

FIG. 2B. Exploded view of a wall assembly over a base floor (claim 1, 1 a and 1 b, claim 1f).

-   -   1. Neodymium Magnet. Rounded type. Square type or magnetic strip         can be used     -   2. Beveled base support     -   3. Wall     -   6. Pillar rods composed of rounded metallic pieces that assembly         one to the other to extend the electrical conductance. (claim         1e) Also a fixed pillar can be used when fixed angles are         desired.     -   6A. Pillar rods cover made of non conductive material rotating         segments to avoid unintended electrical exposure. (claim 1e).     -   20A. Rail and rail cover. The rail conduces electricity from one         side to the other of the wall extending the circuit run. The         cover is made of non electrically conductive material to avoid         unintended current exposure and to house the magnetic-switch         connector assembly. (claim 1a)

FIG. 2C. Sectional view of rails and pillar covers shown empty without electrical connectors or magnetic mechanism.

FIG. 3. Bi-dimensional plans of extensible magnetic edge joints (claims 1 c and 1 e).

FIG. 4. Shows a tri-dimensional reconstruction of extendable magnetic edge wall joints on a simple extension (claim 1c and 1 e).

FIG. 5. Shows an exploded view of extendable magnetic edge wall joints extensions (claim 1c and 1 e).

FIG. 6. Shows a tri-dimensional reconstruction of a simplified set of pieces working together without the electrical components. In this figure walls (3), extendable joints (4) and rods (5) are putted together. It's important to clarify that rods are conceived to be used to produce joints that includes but extends to different angles as needed.

-   -   3. Wall     -   5. Extendable joint components (walls)     -   6. Rod joints

FIG. 6A. Shows a tri-dimensional reconstruction of the set pieces working together shown with some electrical components: wall tops pillars and magnetic edges. The detail of the mechanism is not shown. In this figure walls, joints and rod pillars are working together. It's important to clarify that rod pillars are conceived to be used to produce joints in different angles including 90° or 180° degrees, but to almost 270° degrees set up.

FIG. 6B. Shows a bi-dimensional reconstruction of an accessory set of diaphragm door (claim number 3) used to avoid the space constraints in the behavioral and modular arrays.

FIG. 6C. Shows a bi-dimensional view of wall diaphragm door.

FIG. 7. Shows a tri-dimensional reconstruction of the simplified set of pieces working together. In this figure walls (3), extendable joints (4) and rod joints (5) (claim number 1 e) are putted together in an specific pattern assembly. However almost any kind of arrangement can be made changing wall sizes or forms. This specific figure shows a “T” pattern maze arrangement useful when studying election behavior.

-   -   3. Walls.     -   6. Rod joints

FIG. 8. A “T” maze assembly of components set supported and fixed by magnets to magnetically active sheet floor support and base.

-   -   7. Stainless steal or similar magnetically active base plate         (using a magnetically active Stainless steal alloy, or other         magnetically active and conductive material as ferrous ones).     -   8. Inert base support. This base could be made of a         thermoplastic with high dimensional stability such as a laminate         of HDPE acrylic or other polymer (non-electrically conductive).

FIG. 8A. A “T” maze assembly of basic components set shown with usual components of the system.

FIG. 9. A simplified view of components shown with basic electrical components. Magnetic power adapter plug, frontal, top and lateral view. A part of electrical system (claim number 1 d). This power adaptor provides splitted electrical wires with ground (−) (FIG. 9 number 12) going to the base (FIG. 8 number 8) and positive wire (p.e. +28 VDC, FIG. 9 number 10) to the upper contact wire. Both wires has magnetic joints and active switches (FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 number 9, 11 and 13) and a switch mechanism (FIG. 10 number 15) that permits the electrical union between the actual wire input (FIG. 10 number 17) and the electrical switch contact (FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 numbers 10 and 12).

FIGS. 10. Shows a sectional view of the power adapter plug.

-   -   9. Magnetic connector basic functioning. This magnetic ring help         the wire contact to firmly attach to rod joints. The magnetic         ring is enclosed in the rail and covered with the rail cover or         corner covers.     -   10. Internally movable positive wire contact. (p.e. +28 VDC)         This wire contacts to rod joints or is included as part of the         edges and covered by rail covers (claim number 2). This         connector-switch is shown in the active, extended position when         the two layers, the inactive and active ones are connected,         whereas the retractable negative wire connector (12) is shown in         the inactive position. Activation is done when a magnet or a         magnetically active surface is attached to the connector that is         otherwise inactive, connecting and bridging the two layers         mentioned.     -   11. Magnetic connector. Disk type or other type. Provides extra         attachment to base plate (non wired).     -   12. Internally movable negative wire contact. (− Ground) this         wire contacts to base plate. Shown in inactive state where the         actual connector is separating the two layers.     -   13. Magnetic connector. This magnetic ring help the wire contact         to firmly attach to base plate.     -   14. Wire cable. This wire cable goes to actual power adaptor.         (p.e +28 VDC, 3 amps. Aprox) The wire can be replaced by the         active and inactive layers of the magnetic switch connector         system if desired. (claim number 2).     -   15. Rubber support for cable wire (this forms part of the rail         cover on end components).     -   16. Spring. This spring permits the displacement of wire         contacts and connects wire contacts to     -   actual wire inputs as part of the switch connector (claim number         2). This system differs from past solutions and systems where         spring or other mechanisms are used in a compression setting         while the present invention uses complete movable connectors         with an extension springs that permits a move toward the actual         connection and not the compression of it as a mean of         adjustment. It also differs form previous solutions by using the         magnetic system to actually activate the connector that is         otherwise inactive and thus safer than previous solutions.     -   17. Wire input. Can be connected to a small PCB that connects to         spring.

FIG. 11. Three dimensional view of power adapter plug.

-   -   9. Magnetic connector. This magnetic ring help the wire contact         to firmly attach to rod joints     -   10. Inactive terminal of positive wire contact (+28 VDC) This         connector contacts to rod joints but is electrically inactive         when no magnetic connector is attached (claim number 2).

FIG. 12. Three dimensional view of electrical system working together along with covers, switch connectors and enclosures. This view also shows the use of a diaphragm type door (claim number 3) that can operate in small and tight spaces and also allows small form factor for production.

FIGS. 13. 13A. 14, 14A. 15. Three dimensional view of system arrangements. FIG. 13 represents a square arrangement, while FIG. 14 a “T” shaped assembly, and FIG. 15. a plus “+” assembly. System components can be arranged to practically any way.

FIG. 16. Floor base assembly with magnetic edges. This base system is used as tiles to array in different shapes and patterns and accommodate the system configuration. The figure shows the non-electrical conductive base along with magnets (23) and the electrical conductive plates “L” shaped that (24) joints magnetically together and conduces the electrical ground from the base plate (upper surface—7) and the edges.

-   -   4. Electrically active ferrous material base.     -   5. Electrically inert polymer base.     -   23. Magnets     -   24. Edge electrically conductive plates.

FIG. 16A. Three dimensional view of the base components exploded.

-   -   6. Electrically active ferrous material base.     -   7. Electrically inert polymer base.     -   25. Magnets     -   26. Edge electrically conductive plates.

FIG. 17. Bi-dimensional and tri-dimensional view of produced components along with covers, edges, and corners.

-   -   1. Electrically conductive edges with magnetic switch connector         and cover.     -   2. Wall support legs with magnets.

FIG. 18. Pillar rod with covers and mechanical components with wall edges and magnetic switch connector. Note that spring that holds the switch—connector (claim number 2) is pulled from the inert position, conducing electricity from the active layer, to the active position where electrical current is therefore conducted to inactive layer activating it by means of magnetic pulling force. This action turns the inert layer to active state by conducing the positive current from active layer to the inactive layer and “activating” it.

-   -   6A. Pillar rod assembly with mechanical and electrical         components.     -   20A. Rail cover with mechanical and electrical components.     -   24. Magnet. Conduces current from active layer through screws         and springs.     -   25. Spring. Returns the magnet and connector to the initial         state when rod-pillar magnet is detached and conduces         electricity from rod-pillar to rail and form rail to rod-pillar         as needed when the switch connector is activated by the means of         the magnet.     -   26. Screw. Fixates rail, cover and layer (active) to the spring         and magnet—connector.     -   27. Magnet. To activate the switch-connector and turn it to         active state.     -   28. Pillar—Rod. Inner view     -   29. Screw to communicate rod—Pillar segment to magnet and fixate         the segment with the cover.     -   30. Inactive layer. Made of non magnetic metal (i.e. aluminum,         brass, etc). This layer acts as a wire and conduce electricity         when switch is turned on by attaching the edge to the rod-pillar         that has a magnet on it.     -   31. Active layer. Made of non magnetic metal (i.e. aluminum,         brass, etc). This layer also serves as an electrical wire and         conduces electricity at all the times when powered. Note that         the switch can be used for normally open or normally closed         settings switches. This layer activates the inactive layer when         the switch is closed. And connector is pulled by magnetic force         from the inactive to the active state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention comprises the general system for a magnetic modular set of walls, floor (Claim number 1, 1 a. and 1 b.) and other components to assembly modular mazes and other arrays to make behavioral studies.

Walls can be made in different materials according to specific needs but those materials can be classified in two: a) Magnetically active materials, and b) Magnetically inert materials. It is proposed to use either polycarbonate sheets with a thick of at least ¼″ inch or acrylic plastic or other inert material for wall production. Sheets are routed or cut down to small pieces of the required size to make modules. Once walls are made, high power magnets are glued, bolted or affixed to bottom edges and also wall top and lateral edges through the use of the rail and rail covers with the switch connector to complete each wall mechanism along with the pillars and connectors to produce an assembly. Wall bottom edge should have magnets of the same pole facing the floor to guarantee the highest attraction between walls and floor when assembly them together.

It is proposed to add a short base to each wall to add stability and diminish torque over each wall if pushed horizontally. Base can be made of the same material walls are made. In this case a set off magnets should be added to wall base to add strength to walls assembles over the floor. A beveled edge is preferred for wall base as this reduces the area occupied by base.

Walls are finalized in each side but the bottom side with a rail system with the magnetic switch connector system enclosed (claim number 1 d). Bottom side uses a magnetic edge and support without electrical connector so wall bases remain electrically inert.

Walls can be made of different materials tinted or clear depending upon needs. Wall system also uses extendable edge joints (claim number 1 c) to adapt to specific measures not covered by standard pieces.

The use of this device can be extended to virtually any kind of modular construction (toys, provisional constructions, stands and other low weight assembly). The set can be used many times, and assembled and disassembled as required. Due to the inert nature of the wall and lower base components (p.e polycarbonate, acrylic, etc) this set can be sanitized and cleaned to keep the system set accordingly to standard guidelines for animal, or behavioral research, a characteristic not found in current systems which commonly uses porous materials as wood, or glued materials that leads to microscopic joints that tends to be populated by bacteria. This system set resolves both the sanitation problem and the need for a modular component when it comes to behavioral studies. It also solves the problem of electrically active terminals that are dangerous for animals and humans. Current modular systems relies on mechanical fastenings that reduce configuration possibilities and at the same time this difficult the cleaning process by leaving drilling holes, nuts and bolts holes etc. . . .

Extendable joints (claim number 1 d) comprises two basic parts: a) Rod joints either solid or tubular (claim number 1 c), and b) Extendable wall joints. Extendable joints are simply made of a magnetically inert material with magnetic edges that are mechanically extendable according to drawings. The parts can be cut or routed and glued to make the final piece.

Floor (claim number 1 f) is made of a sheet of magnetically active material such as ferrous stainless steel over an inert polymer base made of a low flexibility material with high resistance to water as HDPE (High Density Polyethylene). The base isolates any electricity it may be circulating and at the same time gives a rigid support to the set. The base can be cut or routed to any shape needed, but a square pattern is preferred to add modularity. The base edges are cut and beveled in opposite edges and a set of magnets are place in each bevel or union to make union between bases if a larger arrangement is needed. Electrical continuity between floor tiles is obtained with metallic parts and magnets to complete the electrical set of the system described in the next paragraph.

Electrical system (claim number 1 d) is set by adding the electrical ground to the floor and the positive wire to rail top and edges system with the magnetic switch connectors for each wall and edge but bottom edge (that remains inert always). It's also desirable and part of this invention to add positive wire terminals to the rounded rod pillars (claim number 1 c) enclosed in the covers to avoid accidental touch of the terminals when connected to a wall. A switch connector (claim number 2) for each component is available and attachment is obtained when the magnetic terminal is attached to the switch connector turning this switch on and thus powering the component. This type of magnetic driven switch connector system minimize the risk of touching electrically active contacts for both humans and animals because with this solution connectors are always inert (non-powered state) except when actually connected. This magnetic driven switch connector differs to other connectors by being: a) inactive and electrically inert when not plugged and b) activated and having electrical current only when the magnetic connector is attached to it. Other magnetic connectors of other inventors rely upon the use of the magnets only to hold and support the connectors together and to align the terminals but being those terminals electrically active at any time.

Rounded rod pillars (cylinder or bar type, claim number 1 e) are used to serve as joints to achieve different wall assembly angles. Rods are also used to carry positive wire electricity and used to activate the switch connectors to conduce electrical power from one wall module to the other. Pillars are protected with the pillar cover hereby presented or by either an insulating material, paint or other insulating mean and connected to the wall edges with magnetic terminals that activate the switch connectors turning the pillar in an electrically active component.

For the overall system strong but small magnets are recommended. At this moment rare-earth (neodymium NIB, Nd2Fe14B) magnets are suggested for this usage due to its strong magnetic properties, but other types of magnets along with new type of magnets can be used.

This system uses modular components as walls (Claims 1 a. and 1 b.), floor (claim number 1 f) rod pillars, extendable joints and different power adaptors and therefore is meant to be used to make virtually any assembly it may be needed. The system also includes compact components as door walls diaphragm type (claim number 3) It's also possible to add reward components and monitoring components if needed. Each component will be powered by the electrical system described and should also have an independent switch connector for each component whether it's an input or output electrical signal or current.

This modular system is suitable for other types of arrangements where provisional arrangements are needed and non-structural high strength assembly can be used. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A Magnetic Modular Assembly system, it's parts and components comprising: a. A magnetically edged wall system made of inert polymer with a magnetically active floor base made of ferrite stainless steel or other ferrite metal that permits the magnetic adherence of the walls to the floor and to the walls between them to create any pattern required for a complex maze setup or structure b. The usage of this new system for the mentioned purpose and for other usages regarding modular building structures suitable for various applications c. Extensible magnetic edges/joints for wall and component assembly, and the magnetic switch there of d. An electrical system for powering modules and system components comprising magnetically attachable and detachable parts e. A system of rods with joints made of magnetically active material to assembly with other pieces where assembly angles are difficult to achieve assembling walls directly and to virtually any angle, either in a fixed or movable factor f. A metal magnetically active (ferrous metal) floor base system with magnetic edges that permits the assembly of different shapes and configurations to interact with the other modular components extending the system to bigger, wider and more complex set ups.
 2. A magnetic switch-connector comprising two layers of electrical conductive metal or materials, one electrically active (powered) and an electrically inactive one (when switch-connector is electrically inactive) that is made of non magnetically active but conductive metal or other non-magnetically active but electrically conductive materials and a magnetic connector attached to a retractable mechanism that when pulled by a magnetic force bridges both layers moving the internal connector to the other layer and thus communicating both layers while activating the previously inactive one and permitting the circulation of electricity between both layers, powering the external magnetic connector. This switch connector brings both usability and safety to the system by permitting a safe connection (when connected) and a fully inactive safe state (when not intended to be used or when disconnected).
 3. The use of diaphragm type door attached to a modular powered wall in the assembly of the presented system to solve the constraint of space of current door systems of behavioral studies systems. 